New Windsor, MD. (Top40 Charts/ Triharpskel Productions) - The album, which translates into English as 'Don't Be Foolish', conveys the two's intense devotion to traditional Scottish music, as well as some original material. And to top things off, there's a good old sea shanty.
While Port Righ are renowned for Jo's Celtic harp playing and Wayne's bagpipes, Na Bi Gòrach expands their horizons by utilising an English concertina, and even Ugandan drum.
Port Righ are based in Westminster, MD, and have an illustrious background in music that informs their first album together. Jo is internationally known for her interpretation of Celtic music on the harp, and has spent a lot of time in Scotland over the years, learning about the culture and landscape, composing music and teaching her gift to others.
Jo also has a long and fruitful recording career behind her. Acclaimed albums include The Three Musics (1998), A Waulking Tour Of Scotland (2000), Christmas Gifts (2003) and By Request (2004). Before falling in love with the harp and Scottish music generally, Jo studied piano for 20 years as well as many other instruments. She is also an accomplished arranger, and contributes articles to many music publications.
She has performed with Port Righ across the world at major music festivals, including the Potomac Celtic Festival, American Music and Arts Festival, Jacksonville Highland Games, and Somerset Folk Harp Festival.
Her music, while having its roots in the Celtic traditions Jo is so entranced by, is a melting pot of influences always open to new and exciting forms. She says: "I've always seen myself on a journey of exploration and discovery. I'm constantly looking for new influences and new ideas, while trying to stay true to the fresh and honest power of the music I play.
"I don't like to over-intellectualise the music, but rather let it speak for itself, without too much fluff or inventive additions that might detract from the powerful melodies that drew me to the music in the first place."
Jo's music has met with much critical approval. Green Man Review said: "Jo Morrison's A Waulking Tour of Scotland was a masterful work. Jo gets more out of the harp than should be possible."
Darin Kelly at The Harp Column wrote: "Morrison is at ease with this authentic Celtic music, and lends to it a sense of honest exuberance I find refreshing."
Wayne Morrison is a virtuoso on Highland bagpipe. Wayne was surrounded by music during his childhood, and prior to taking up the bagpipe he had both classical vocal and instrumental training. Soon after his first introduction to folk music however, he was hooked. He also plays shuttle pipes, the Highland pipe's quieter cousin and the concertina.
Port Righ have performed at locations such as the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and various Scottish Festivals around the United States.
Port Righ ("Port Ree") is the Gaelic name for the town of Portree on Scotland's Isle of Skye. It is usually translated as 'king's port' but can also be interpreted as 'king's song'. The Celtic harp and the bagpipes were both historically used to entertain kings; therefore the name seems appropriate for this unique group.
Na Bi Gòrach is a full-blooded foray into the heart of traditional Celtic music, but with the new and special combination of Celtic harp with bagpipes. All followers of traditional music should investigate.
Port Righ take their music on the road in 2007:
April 14 (Release Concert)
Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main Street, Westminster, MD
May 2 Strathmore Hall, Rockville, MD
May 5-6 Maryland Sheep And Wool Festival
May 12 Benefit Concert for WAFHS, Knox Presbyterian Church, Falls Church, VA
June 5 Concert at Smoot Memorial Library, 9533 Kings Highway, King George, VA
July 2-6, 9-13 Common Ground on the Hill, Westminster, MD. Jo and Wayne leading workshops and performing.
July 7-8 American Music Festival, Westminster, MD
July 23 - August 3 Jo teaching harp workshops on Isle of Lewis, Scotland
September 8 Ligonier Highland Games, Idlewild Park, US Rte, 30 West Ligonier, PA
